food supplements and additives

[opos]

I may create a dispute here but don't mean to ...just passing along something that surprised me and may be of interest...I know a lot of folks rely heavily on "supplements" and health food items as their answer to "good health"...I have one friend that is difficult to talk with if I happen to be ailing as he starts in with his list of supplements and like a bulldog is unwilling to let go until I just end the conversation. His Wife has cancer and he's "taken over" her care with his supplement program...that is up to him and her...my Wife is a cancer survivor with "standard" medical care and I trust that.

Recently my Wife had some surgery and during a follow up her liver enzymes were increased and there was much concern...she had a fusion that used cadaver bone for a "disc" replacement. She had it done at Scripps in San Diego which is a highly rated hospital with super tight restrictions so the chance of the cadaver carrying anything was next to zero....but to make certain she did not get Hep C from something in the process she was directed to one of the top liver specialists in the Country...

He began to ask about her diet, her use of any vitamins, supplements, additives, etc...My Wife only takes what a doctor tells her..period....so there was nothing in her diet with one small exception..her Orthopaedic surgeon had put her on a supplementary vitamin program that was supposed to aid in healing....The liver doc said stop them immediately...he had her back in a week when there was absolutely nothing in her system except normal nutrition...her numbers were back down but he did a liver biopsy anyway which came back clean.

When I asked him about the concern for supplements and additives he said that the Internists and Liver and blood specialists have a terrible time chasing the diagnosis of a problem if the patient is using supplements and additives...he said nobody truly knows what is in the makeup of these products and that they can be called the same from manufacturer to manufacturer but have strong differences in what is included along with the "main item"..He said that it is a normal practice now to have any patient with suspected disease in the digestive, blood or organ systems to end the use of any and all (including vitamins) additives and supplements so they can find out what the real diagnosis is without false signals affecting the diagnosis.

I lost a good friend some years ago to cancer. He simply ended his relationship with the Oncologist that was trying to help him and went off on a "program" in Mexico where apricot pits were ground up into some form of supplement (think it was called Layatril or something like that). He was sold on the fact it was the only way out..he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and still died pretty much "on schedule". I understand the urgency on the part of a cancer patient...I watched my Wife have and recover from cancer...but I also think that some folks are talked out of medical care and some lay man convinces them to rely on some Eastern potion of supplements and additives....Have another friend who's Daughter went to some school and has become a "practitioner" in the Chinese healing arts..she can "prescribe" the herbs and minerals as supplements to heal folks of all sorts of things...I for one just would prefer an M.D. with years of training and constant updates and more recent knowledge...I have seen a number of posts over the years here and on other boards about people relying heavilly on these items and in many cases "prescribing" them to others.

Ok...the gate is open...have at it

 

[Don Lovel]

some things I know work for healing from my experience with skin grafts
Beta carotene and vitamin A. My graft doc said our garden broccoli & spinach and my love of sweet potatoes & carrots made my graft heal at a really impressive rate. Bag Balm is an amazing substance and really helps skin abrasions and scar tissue reduction.
Taking zinc to help chelate vitamin C into your body better and boost immune
Antibiotic and healing herbs like Golden Seal, OSHA, Cannabis, Yarrow, Plantain and aloe, really work well
OHSA root mixed with high CBD cannabis oil heals lesions and skin infections, decubitis bed sores and insect bite infections
OSHA chewed or tea is really good to do when you have viral flu and secondary bacterial infections like strep throat and ear infections or really messed up digestive tract from flu
If you are on a bunch of antibiotics, you have to replenish the good bacteria in your gut with probiotic foods.
Honey and bee products really help with allergies and honey is a good antibiotic
activated charcoal and bentonite clay can help stop irritated bowel flairups or food poisoning

 

[contender]

Modern medicine has come a long way. Yet,,, many things that are prescribed nowadays are a form of part of many plants & animal stuff that has proven to be beneficial.
With modern medicine,,, they need to be able to test & diagnose a problem,, and we all know that ANY foreign substance in the body can affect many things not necessarily associated with the problem.

When I was actively teaching SCUBA,,, & the subject of alcohol & drugs use came up,, I had a standard question. "Tell me the difference in a good drug & a bad drug." I'd get all kinds of answers,, some good & most not so good. But my reply was; "Neither. The body doesn't know the differences in anything we put in it. It only reacts to what we put into it."
To that end,,, modern medicine,,, or over the counter supplements are just things we put into our bodies & the body reacts according to what the substance is. Sometimes good,,, sometimes good with side effects,, and sometimes bad.

It never hurts to get a second or even 3rd opinion on any serious medical issue.

 

[gramps]

As a nurse of 46 years, I have seen hundreds of people die from cancer, while strictly following a medical regimine. Here recently a friends wife stopped going to Cancer Centers of America, because all they wished to do was surgery. She opted for CBD at home. I was giving her Reiki treatments. She succumbed. When it is your time, you will go regardless. IMO. make yourself comfortable in the meantime with what you believe to be the best route.
gramps

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I could probably write a book on the medical adventures and misadventures I've watched in my own family, but rather than cut down a tree to tell the boring tale, the short version is half my family runs off to the doctors whenever there's a sniffle, hangnail, scratch or bit of stiffness getting out of bed in the morning. The other half goes to see the doctors when something's obviously broken or bleeding. Otherwise, they don't give the medical profession many extra chances to kill them. The life expectancies are similar, but one groups seems to get more out of their lives than the other. I'm sure you can guess which one that is.

Anyway, a number of years ago I saw a TV program, a round table type discussion, which involved about a dozen health care professionals from around the world; two were nutritionist/herbalist/health food types, the rest doctors. All had received different training ranging from pure Oriental herbalist and accupuncture discipline to pure Western AMA "surgery and Rx medication" protocols. All were somewhat, if not quite, different in their approach. Yet despite the differences in treatments, their overall cure rates for common diseases, up to and including cancer, were remarkably similar! Perhaps to the point of being statistically identical?

That said, I remember my late bookkeeper's parents, both US trained MDs. Dad was of the "surgery and Rx meds" school, while Mom was of the school of thought that "the body is a remarkable organism which can deal with a lot of problems on its own, IF we just let it." It's probably fair to say she leaned more to an osteopathic approach in her practice. It was from her I learned the apparently quite old medical adage that if you have a cold, you can do nothing about it and it will take two weeks to get over it, or you can go to the doctor and be cured in only 14 days.

I understand the OP's feelings as well as those of his doctors, and am happy for his wife's success, even if I think quietly the docs are exhibiting a touch of what I'd call medical arrogance (meaning "We really don't know what we're doing some times, but we'll never admit it.") In the end, though, gramps has it nailed: when it's your time, it's your time, and until then, you'll survive everything!

Rick C

 

[Pat-inCO]

The problem, that I see, in going with minimal medication and surgery,
is that it requires common sense. :shock: Most of us have seen many that
forgot to stand up and get theirs when that was being handed out, thus
are forever doomed (?) to spending time and money to little benefit.

As an example of where it is essential to go see the doctor, I offer up my
experience with the gal-bladder. I went in for surgery on Thursday and
Friday morning the surgeon came in and said "Good thing we got you in
yesterday, otherwise you would have been in by Sunday for emergency
surgery. - - Read that as - - Something serious, SEE THE DOCTOR!
Otherwise, see if you have enough common sense. 8)

An example of where OTC medications can help is macular degeneration.
I was diagnosed with it ten years ago. First thought was I'M . . GOING
BLIND! Well, at least for me, and for now, nope! I did some research on
the subject, including the Mayo Clinic, and many sources said that a diet
that included vitamins A, C, and E, plus fish oil, helps in many cases.
I went to my PCP and asked how much fish oil to take. Her response
was to take 1,000 mg of both Omega-3 DHA and EPA, per day.

Well, long story short, in three years the macular degeneration was GONE!
Happy Camper, HAPPY CAMPER! In other words, some work, for some
people. If you are fortunate enough to be one of those that are lucky,
the "home remedies" can be inexpensive and effective.

 

[nvbirdman]

If I remember correctly, Steve McQueen went to Mexico for laetrile treatments. Didn't do any good.

 

[Rook]

I had 2 aunts that got on a supplement kick 3 years ago because a friend of theirs convinced them it was the thing to do so they stopped taking all their meds that the doctor had prescribed. Francis died with in 6 months and Mary started taking her meds again before she died too.

 

[sncup]

The products in all those "supplement" bottles in both pharmacies and health food stores is largely UNREGULATED. Meaning we really don't know what is in the bottle. For those that buy drugs from out of the country, who guarantees what they REALLY are.
One of the best quotes I use is TRUST BUT VERIFY.

The office of New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has targeted four major herbal and dietary supplement manufacturers to produce detailed documentation concerning the authenticity, purity, and marketing of herbal dietary supplements sold in the state since January 1, 2013, as part of an ongoing investigation of the industry.

Earlier this month, the NYAG issued cease-and-desist orders to four retail chains – GNC, Target TGT -1.04%, Walgreen WAG +% Co., and Wal-Mart Stores WMT -1.03% – for allegedly deceptive business practices and potential health risks after DNA barcoding tests revealed that eight out of 10 store brand herbal products were devoid DNA from the labeled plant material and/or contained completely unrelated herbs or potentially allergenic fillers.

NBTY had previously been under scrutiny by the CDC and Connecticut Department of Health in November, 2014, after a premature infant died following in-hospital use of a Solgar-branded probiotic product, ABC Dophilus. Unopened bottles of the supplement were found to contain Rhizopus oryzae fungus, the same organism deemed responsible for the infant's death.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I had 2 aunts that got on a supplement kick 3 years ago because a friend of theirs convinced them it was the thing to do so they stopped taking all their meds that the doctor had prescribed. Francis died with in 6 months and Mary started taking her meds again before she died too.

Hi,

But can we be sure they'd have lasted longer with the doctor's meds all along?

"If you or a loved one took Thiswilcureallthatailsyou HCl and died, please call 1-800-WE SUE THEIR PANTS OFF. You may be entitled to compensation." How often does that splash across our TV screens? My neighbor tells a story along that line:

He was diagnosed with high cholesterol and the doc wanted to put him on some Rx medication. He asked the doc for "the sheet" (the one that tells all the good, bad and ugly about the medication) when the doc handed him the Rx slip. Then he went home, read it, and put both pieces of paper in the drawer.

Two weeks later he went in for a blood test and his cholesterol was exactly where it had been. Doc asks if he's taking the meds.

"Nope."

Doc asks why not.

"Doc, have you ever read that sheet?"

"Well, I've glanced over it."

"Ok, is my cholesterol gonna kill me?"

"Nah..."

"Well, if you read that sheet, you'll see one of the first bad side effects from that medication is death. I'll take my chances with the cholesterol." Several years later, he's still kickin' at 80 plus, though he says a recent bout with colon cancer did take a lot out of him! The cholesterol's still the same...

There's good and bad in ALL aspects of medicine, especially in the infinite varieties of "eye of toad, tail of newt" we put in ourselves...

Rick C

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I only take a few supplements, but the ones I take are from Shaklee. They seem to have the highest efficacy standard of any product I've heard of.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I believe you have to trust your doctor and modern medicine. What we are learning is always changing and usually for the better, although occasionally things that we thought were true turn out to be not good for you, like margarine or diet soda. I trust my doctor to treat the few ailments that I have and all the tests prove that she knows what she is doing. The extras that I take are nothing special, the doctor knows about them and approves of all of them, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, fish oil and a multi vitamin for health and older eyes. I would not treat any condition with home remedies or unusual supplements or additives without discussing them with my doctor. I have had one doctor disagree with another doctor on treatment but not to the point of one saying he would not do what the other says to do. It is really a matter of trust that we need to have for our own security and well being.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...

As a three-time cancer survivor(along with two strokes thrown in for good measure), I have some "limited" experience with this topic.

My latest bout with cancer began last spring with stomach issues and loss of appetite(and resultant dramatic weight loss). Once diagnosed by sonagram and x-rays with tumors in my lungs and stomach, I was advised to discontinue all over the counter vitamins/supplements as well as my blood pressure medications.
Since I had salivary gland cancer in 2012, my radiation oncologist believed it to be a metastatic recurrence and he declared me to be terminal. A pulmonary specialist concurred with the diagnosis and put me in contact with a chemotherapy oncologist to manage my treatment with the plan being to use a combination of radiation and chemotherapy to extend my life.
In the meantime, I managed to collapse twice and went on short term disability. I also began to have serious issues with my right eye going shut, to the point that I quickly lost all use of my right eye. A trip to a neurologist resulted in an immediate move to the hospital for several CAT-scans and MRIs where it was determined that I had a BB-sized brain tumor on my third cranial nerve, effectively rendering my right eye useless. The tumor was and remains very deep seated and inoperable.
I was sent home pending my visit with the chemotherapy oncologist that was scheduled for the following week.
By the time of that visit, my condition had deteriorated to the point that I was unable to walk more than a few steps without support. The chemotherapy oncologist looked at my test results(blood work, x-rays, sonogram, CAT-scans and MRIs) and immediately had me admitted to the hospital. After nearly a week of tests, I was diagnosed with Burkitt's-like lymphoma, which is an extremely aggressive form of cancer that if untreated results in death rather quickly.

Fortunately, there is a chemotherapy treatment that is quite effective against this particular form of lymphoma. It is extremely debilitating, but if you can tolerate and respond well to the treatment the odds of forcing the lymphoma into remission at fairly good.

At this point, after more than six months of chemotherapy via a port and over a dozen spinal injections of chemotherapy to combat my brain tumor, I am in remission with a 50/50 chance of achieving a complete cure.

While many people advised me to try alternative treatments or to travel to various specialized cancer care clinics, my oncologists assured me that since the advent of this Internet thing and the world wide web, there is truly no need for any of that. They were in constant communication with the National Cancer Institute and any new treatments are no further away than the nearest computer terminal.

My only instructions outside of the treatments they did, were to watch my diet. They recommended plenty of protein, fruits and vegetables.

No laetrile, no bizarre untested treatments from some charlatan masquerading as a doctor, none of that.

Just some antibiotics and iron supplements to combat the effects of chemotherapy on my immune system and to energize my bone marrow to combat the anemia that lymphoma and chemotherapy cause. The only other medicine I take is a low-dose aspirin to protect against another stroke as recommended by my neurologist and Protonix(prescribed by my chemotherapy oncologist) to protect my stomach.

 

[Pat-inCO]

On the subjects of iron and aspirin supplements:
An excess of iron, itself, can cause you problems. If it is at the doctors
recommendation, I would not hesitate.

Low dose aspirin can create problems. My doctor had me on it for most
of two years; until I had what should have been a relatively minor cut;
that took fourteen hours to stop bleeding. I discontinued it the next day.

Like they say, each of us is unique, just like everyone else.

 

[bogus bill]

My BIL died of a heart attack at 45. He was a vegetarian and fitness nut. Perfect build, exercised and was a lab tech in a heart hospital in the Los Angeles area. He died on the job and they couldn't save him when he had his heart attack working in the lab where they specialized in it!
I am almost 76, big, fat and lazy. I had to go to ER with chest pain and got two stents just before this Christmas. One artery was 99% closed and the other 95%. The doctors told me I was about a half hour from the big one. First time in my life I have started watching what I eat and am going to cardio rehab. I always ate and drank what I wanted. Dad died of Alzheimer right at 90. 6 ft 5"s, perfect build ate what he wanted. His plate looked like snow he used so much salt. Never dieted, never exercised on purpose and could have doubled for Chuck Conners, the "Rifleman". I figure its all in whatever jeans we luck into. All my apathetic jock friends I grew up with are mostly gone that I know of. I was the slug. We aint gonna get out alive unless Armageddon and the second coming happens soon.
I still have one uncle and one aunt left and one is right at a hundred and the other 98 or 99. Far as I know they both ate/eat anything they wanted. My sister has been a bean pole since birth and I was born fat and still am. She is three years older than me and has had a pacemaker for years. Go figure.

 

[NH Rugerman]

Most, if not all medications originated in nature, I.e. Plants, etc....There are some synthetic drugs but not many....not all doctors are 'into' their jobs so make sure you find one who is passionate about helping people.

Remember, No one cares about your life and living it, more than YOU! You are responsible for your own choices and deciding what how badly you want to stay in this world...

Just my opinion, YMMV.